Hypermedia SystemsCarson Gross, Adam Stepinski, Deniz Akşimşek
Hypermedia Systems
by Carson Gross, Adam Stepinski, Deniz Akşimşek · first published 2023
33mentions
22recommended by
23HN commenters
2023–2026first – last mentioned
96% recommend4% neutral
A book on hypermedia-driven web applications with htmx (free online).
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Returning partial HTML from endpoints is the whole point of htmx. If your endpoint returns json and you’re trying to convert that to HTML to use with htmx, don’t bother - just use another “traditional” Js framework. I highly recommend the “building hypermedia systems” book (free at https://hypermedia.systems/) so you can understand the HTML/ hypermedia architecture of which htmx is a key componen
on “Why Htmx Does Not Have a Build Step” ↗Hello all again, not sure why htmx is on HN right now, but happy to answer questions. You might be interested in our essays on hypermedia: https://htmx.org/essays or our book (free to read online): https://hypermedia.systems Also we are working on a version 4 for release later this year: https://four.htmx.org
on “Htmx: High Power Tools for HTML” ↗Woah--I stumbled upon "Hypermedia Systems"[0] from the View Transitions essay linked on this release page. If, like me, you're sympathetic to the htmx philosophy, but not really an expert, it looks like a great read. (And it's beautifully presented, too.) Seems it was discussed a few months ago[1]; I missed it then. [0]: https://hypermedia.systems/ [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3413
on “Htmx 1.9.0 has been released” ↗Well, there are UI changes and there are UI changes. https://htmx.org/essays/hypermedia-friendly-scripting In general, I'd recommend perusing the essays to get a flavor of the style of web application we are advocating for: https://htmx.org/essays/ And, if you want more, taking a look at our book: https://hypermedia.systems
on “Htmx 1.9.0 has been released” ↗Correct. I am a web developer from the late 90s and I am trying to resurrect hypermedia as a viable option for rich web applications. https://htmx.org https://hypermedia.systems
on “Two Approaches to Decoupling” ↗I really recommend reading the essays on https://htmx.org/essays/ They are well-written, opinionated, but not dogmatic. And the book on https://hypermedia.systems/ is a true gem.
on “Tips for Building SSR/HDA Applications” ↗> Is it worth the time and effort to attempt to establish an open alternative to the app platforms of today? It's already here, it's called the Web. You could quibble about the main browser engines being created by FAANG, but it's still a remarkably open platform. https://hypermedia.systems/
on “Ask HN: Should I build a new community app platform?” ↗I’ve been using it to great effect for the last year or so. It really is a breath of fresh air. In my case, I’m using a Django backend, but there are lots of successful folks using other backend stacks as well so choose what you know best. The book is a really quick and easy read. It’s pretty eye opening how productive, and effective, htmx can be with so little magic. https://hypermedia.systems/
on “Things you forgot because of React” ↗> all it does is do simple things by adding attributes to html elements It’s extending html to make the most of http by adding some simple attributes. Like all great things - the building blocks are simple, but the possibilities of what you can build with them is vast. I think this is really well dealt with in the “opportunities” to extend html in this chapter of the Hypermedia Systems book:
on “Htmx is part of the GitHub Accelerator” ↗> is a fully RESTful HTML API simply a website that doesn't use any JS? No, I don't think so. Sprinkling a little client side JS can certainly be beneficial and doesn't invalidate it being a RESTful HTML API. _hyperscript [1] was created by the htmx author for that purpose. There's a book [2] that you may not have seen written by some core htmx dev's that goes into this [3] in more detail. [1] -
on “Don’t Build a General Purpose API to Power Your Own Front End (2021)” ↗"Web development" means many different things to different people. I believe a sensible approach, for some (including me), is: 1. Learn back-end web programming (HTTP request/response model, templating, sessions, security, the REST architectural model, ORM...) with your framework of choice (Django, Flask, Litestar, Sanic...). There are many tutorials and books around. 2. Learn HTMX (https://htm
on “Why arent there any courses teaching web development in Python?” ↗It's definitely a real, credible project. I'd played with HTMX a couple years ago when it was first announced. It was only recently that the author began using memes on Twitter and attained a large following from that. He has a great book explaining the philosophy behind the project: https://hypermedia.systems
on “Htmx Webring” ↗if you want to just have a serious look at htmx, I recommend the book, which is free online: https://hypermedia.systems i am willing to admit that i get a little wild on the ol' twitters and understand if that isn't everyone's cup of tea (otoh, you probably wouldn't have heard of htmx if i went at things the normal way: i'm a solo dev in montana.)
on “Htmx Is a Erlang” ↗If you want a longer introduction you can read out book (free online): https://hypermedia.systems
on “Show HN: I made a HTMX Playground 100% in the browser” ↗Reading the first part of the book [0] featuring the concepts behind hypermedia systems has helped me to really understand the goals of HTMX. I would highly recommend it even if you don't experiment with HTMX yourself. I bought it as an ebook to support the author but it is also free to read. [0] https://hypermedia.systems/
on “Is htmx Just Another JavaScript Framework?” ↗